New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina’s fit with teams in draft asking price

Brooklyn Nets: No. 27, 31

No. 31 belonged to the New York Knicks — five years ago. Attribute that to the former president of basketball operations Phil Jackson sending it away to clear luxury tax and open a roster spot for Travis Wear. Not exactly a worthwhile move.

The Knicks and Nets aligning for a trade seem difficult to fathom. They don’t have a rivalry, but crosstown deals are unusual, unless it’s the Lakers gift-wrapping Ivicia Zubac for the Clippers with Mike Muscala headed the other way.

Brooklyn’s roster could lose a handful of players to free agency, whether they were on expiring contracts or rookie-scale deals.

This roster has backcourt options, as well, especially if they re-sign D’Angelo Russell to an eight-figure salary. Caris LeVert, Shabazz Napier and Spencer Dinwiddie are all under contract next season, with Napier owning a cheap team option for $1.84 million.

It’s a crowded situation, unless the Nets use Ntilikina as a versatile defender across the lineup. Positionless basketball is real right now, and while the offensive struggles are there, he can cover players across the board.

With that fit, it just comes down to two New York City-based teams willingly working together. Good luck with that, unless Scott Perry and Steve Mills and Sean Marks find common ground to benefit each other.